2 replies to this topic

[mjodrey]

I came across this today and thought it was different.


Allis Chalmer's fuel cell-powered farm tractor, circa 1959. This is the earliest known vehicle application of a fuel cell. Historical accounts indicate the 5,270 lb tractor required no additional weights, but the stack, made up of 1080 individual cells, produced only 15kW or about 20 horsepower. It was fueled with a mixture of gases, but predominately propane.

Edited by mjodrey, August 27, 2010 - 11:34 AM.

[Bill56]

Thanks for posting the picture, Maynard. I have an Allis book with a picture of this tractor, but it's in Black and white. Nice to see a picture of it dressed in the A-C Orange!
I don't think any of these went into production, either, but A-C also applied their fuel cell technology to a forklift, golf cart, and even a small submarine.
The history of the A-C company, and the products they made, is truly amazing. Even as far back as the early 1900's they made some of the biggest industrial equipment, in the world, and consequently had some of the biggest machinery to make all of it.

[mjodrey]

Very interesting Bill.